Predictions for North Walsham in Norfolk this time last year were dire. Every single pub in the market town was granted a 24-hour licence under the new licensing law and, the doomsayers warned, the quiet cobbled streets were about to become "the drinking capital of Europe" amid a deluge of inebriated debauchery.

As the tower clock ticked past midnight yesterday to mark one year after the introduction of the regulations, there was only one place to get a nightcap in North Walsham - the King's Arms - and only one man drinking: Martin, the landlord.

He took one satisfied swig of his Baileys and ice and switched the lights off. He had reason to celebrate: a survey conducted by local police for the Guardian has found there have only been six assaults in North Walsham pubs since the licensing change, compared with 22 the previous year - a 72% fall in "people fighting over spilt beers", to quote one officer.

Martin Miles, who owns almost half the pubs in the town believed to have the highest ratio of 24 hour licences in the country - seven for a population of around 10,000 - recalls the throng of TV crews and journalists who descended last year, foaming at the lips at the thought that a backwater was about to become Las Vegas on the Broads.

A year on and the regulations may have prompted a minor jolt in drinking habits - people come out an hour later than they used to - but anecdotal evidence supports the survey commissioned by the Guardian: there has been a noticeable decline in alcohol related disorder. Fewer fights. Less vomit. And a reduction in the number of late night calls to police.

It is a message that chimes with similar towns and cities throughout the country, with most police forces reporting no significant change in alcohol related crimes since the implementation of the Licensing Act, and many pointing to a reduction in violent behaviour since Britain edged towards continental-style drinking hours. The Department of Health said there was no evidence later opening hours had placed more pressure on emergency services.

Officially, the Home Office said it was too early to draw conclusions about the impact of the regulations. But in private officials involved in managing the transition are satisfied with the first year.

Mirroring the picture elsewhere in England and Wales, North Walsham's pubs rarely take full advantage of round the clock opening hours. Most stay open until around midnight during the week - although as early as 10pm if no one's around - and close at 1am at weekends. The converted barn attached to the Black Swan on the high street might stay open late on Fridays - as will Club Ka, a members' disco in the basement of Mr Miles's pub.

The change has been marginal, but broadly welcomed. "Being able to come out later has made the whole town a bit calmer," said Joanne Mitchell, 23, with friends in the White Swan just after 11pm. "Everyone seems to pace themselves better than before and the fights after closing time are gone."

Tony Gent, licensing officer for the town and the man who came under most fire last year, sums up the general view, with a hint of "I told you so": "Punters no longer down 32 pints in 10 minutes at the end of the night, and that has predictable results."

Chief Inspector Steve Jones, from North Norfolk police, said the downturn could also be put down to pubs sharing information about troublemakers and the council's decision to close takeaways early because, previously, they were danger zones after the pubs emptied.

"We had a lot of bad publicity last year," he said. "The word 'liberal' was used to describe our approach. But I'm pleased to say we haven't become the drinking capital of Europe - quite the opposite, in fact."

Perhaps the best judges of the new rules in North Walsham are John Blane, 69, and Brian Crabb, 63 - "the budgies" as they're known - who have perched on the same sofa chairs in the corner of the King's Arms, seven days a week, for longer than anyone can remember. "We've been ignoring each other for 30 years, I reckon," said John. "And we're happier now we can stay longer."

Brian agreed. "I think it's a superb thing. It should have been brought in years ago - think of all that time we've wasted going home early and watching rubbish on the telly."